But this basic form of plumbing, also known as a Turkish toilet or Nile pan, could be coming to a shopping centre near you - and all in the name of cultural sensitivity.

When Westerners visit other countries, we're supposed to acquaint ourselves with the customs and culture of the host country and act accordingly. When non-Westerners come to visit us, we're supposed to acquaint ourselves with the customs and culture of the visiting foreigner and adapt ourselves to their lifestyle.

Why are we acting like these things are Muslim? Holes-in-the-ground are all over France and Italy. Hell, half the rest stops in France don't even have holes in the ground. Or stalls. Just piss in the wind.

I'm not a huge fan of the holes in the ground, but they are really a pain in the ass when you're carting a four year old girl around. Squatting and peeing is a learned skill, it would seem.

@lemondog -- I thought they did flush? (at least the western versions).

Could be nasty to clean though.

(The article said they were just adding one or two ...)

But you know .. based on what I have come across in some ladies rooms from time to time, it is clear that some women with large bladders do not want to put their delicate buttoumbs on the seat, and spray all over the seat and the floor -- creating the VERY scenario they are too pristine to think they might be exposing themselves to.

Go at it. ladies. Hopefully the cleaning services can just hose out the cubicles with disinfectant like they do with portable outhouses.

uh, please tell me that these toilets are not set up so i will ever have to watch a person take dump. that's all i care about.

personally, as a guy, i will pee in anything if i have to, because i don't have to touch it. but i wouldn't be caught dead going #2 in any public toilet outside of my office's toilet (and that is really only semi-public). I say as long as a mall has a reasonable number of normal toilets, what do i care. that is as long as i don't have to see someone pinching a loaf.

btw, cultural reasons? pardon the pun, but... my ass. there is one reason and only one reason why they put in these things: because its cheaper that creating a seat as well. i cannot believe for one moment that there is anyone who would prefer not to take a load off as they, well, drop a load. yeesh.

When I was deployed to Iraq, I would go on joint patrols with the Iraqi Army and we would all return to my base for a debriefing. Our base didn't have indoor plumbing so we had western-style porta-johns everywhere. When the Iraqi Army soldiers asked where they could do their business we directed them to the porta-johns next to the battalion headquarters where they would hop up and use it in the manner to which they were accustomed...with the predictable results.

'Space for public toilets in places like shopping centres is already at a premium, and if this is meant to cater for Muslims we would point out that the vast majority use normal toilets in their own homes.'

half the rest stops in France don't even have holes in the ground. Or stalls. Just piss in the wind.

Or into the bushes. At 5 p.m. On the main street in Aix-en-Provence. Le pipi rustique.

Squatting and peeing is a learned skill, it would seem.

The trick is to get your butt lower than your knees.

I used outhouses and squat toilets when I lived and traveled in South America (Peace Corps volunteer, staying at the Fs and Gs in the South American handbook). Often times, there wasn't water to wash my hands. Gross, but I have to say that since then (1995), I have not gotten sick.

Any fair minded person would agree that Chinese food is superior to that dismal swill which English people put on their plates. In like way, any reasonable person would agree that the English toilet is an improvement over a hole in the ground. If someone prefers this type of toilet they are culturally bigoted and should be vetted for terrorist ties.

I live in Korea where it is common to see both Western and "squat" toilets in public restrooms.These toilets most certainly do have a flush mechanism, and they can accommodate the use of toilet paper. Not all squatters are holes in the ground. They are connected to the sewage system the same as regular commodes.

I'd say about 99% of all homes have Western toilets, but many people prefer the squat variety in public. They are seen as more hygienic as their is no ass to porcelain contact. I tend to agree and opt for the squatter myself when out and about. The only time they have been difficult is when I was heavily pregnant.

I'm not saying the British need to install squatters for the convenience of immigrants, but I don't think they are as gross as many people think they are.